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UNDERSTANDING THE GUARDIANSHIP PROCESS IN TEXAS

At The Law Office of Laura Coorpender Ramirez, PLLC, we help individuals and families through the guardianship process. If you need to appoint a legal guardian for a child turning 18, we can work with you throughout the process of becoming a guardian.

To speak with a lawyer about the Texas guardianship process, contact our guardianship law firm. We will take the time to listen to your concerns and understand your goals to create a guardianship tailored to your family.

DENTON COUNTY GUARDIAN APPLICATIONSThe decision to become a guardian is a serious and difficult one. When your child is around 17 and a half years old, it is important for you to have experienced legal guidance to start the guardianship process, guiding you from start to finish, including:

Free consultation: In your free, in-office consultation with attorney Laura Coorpender Ramirez, she will go over the steps in the guardianship process with you in detail to help you understand the time frame, steps and challenges you can expect.

Application to the court: The guardianship application to the court will include a medical evaluation to show the need for a guardian for your child. We will also list out the rights the proposed ward will retain in the guardianship, such as the right to vote, marry, drive or have a bank account. We will also determine the powers the guardian will be given, including determining the place of residence, consent to medical, psychological and dental treatment; applying for governmental funds and services; and managing bank accounts.

Appointment of guardian/attorney ad litem and court investigator: Next, the court will appoint an attorney ad litem who will represent the proposed ward's interests throughout the process while our firm represents you. A court investigator will be appointed to make sure the guardianship is appropriate. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to assist the court in determining what action will be in the proposed ward's best interest. The attorney ad litem and investigator will visit with you and your child to discuss the guardianship.

Hearing: At the hearing, you will be asked a series of questions to offer proof of your qualifications to be guardian. Your child may also be at the hearing depending on whether he or she would be able to understand and participate in the process. If there are no outstanding issues, then you will take an oath and be provided with letters of guardianship.

Annual reports: After being appointed guardian, you will need to file a report every year, outlining the ward's condition. You may also have a court visitor come to your home to see how the ward is doing.

It is important to remember that we can change the guardianship at a later date. We understand that circumstances change. If the ward's capacity improves or declines, you are required to seek modification of the guardianship. We can help you modify or terminate your guardianship at any time to meet your current needs.

FLAT FEE FOR UNCONTESTED GUARDIANSHIPS At our firm, we offer a $600 flat fee for Denton County uncontested guardianship of the person.